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Tag: Ajimobi

  • Politicians have hijacked Olubadan palace, says Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said politicians nursing the ambition to take over the state in 2019 have hijacked the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan.

    He said the encroachment of the palace by opposition politicians was responsible for the perceived disagreement between him and the Olubadan, which resulted in Monday’s attack of the palace by gunmen.

    The governor spoke yesterday when the state National Council of Muslim Youths Organisation (NACOMYO) gave him a merit award at Adamasingba Stadium.

    He said Monday’s attack was carried out because some desperate politicians had hijacked the palace.

    The event was attended by the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Alhaji Abdulganiy Abubakri Agbotomokekere; renowned Islamic preacher, Sheik Muideen Ajani Bello; former Senate leader Teslim Folarin and Chairman of Oyo State Muslim community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni.

    Ajimobi said he knew those who attacked the palace, adding that they were those who had hijacked the palace because preparations for the 2019 elections have started.

    He said: “Politicians have hijacked the Olubadan palace. We know them: they want to be governor, they want to be Olubadan and they want to become the chairman of the party.

    “That was what they did during the Baba Lamidi Adedibu era. You cannot tell us that, that is the way they use to do. They accused Baba Adedibu. They used blood of cow to rub their house and said they were attacked. It was when the police came they knew it was the blood of the cow.

    “They attacked former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala in Akure. I don’t have guns, but the gun I have is the mouth. They want to turn Olubadan against us, but we will not agree.”

    Ajimobi noted that despite their differences and the powers he has as governor, he would not remove the Olubadan.

    “One does not remove his father. He (Olubadan) has done something that if I just sign, he will be removed. But I will not. It is not in my time that the Olubadan would be removed.

    “They have failed. We did the flyover bridge but they said they had the idea. They did not have the idea; Jemibewon did.

    “Those of you who have the chance should help us tell the Olubadan. I want you to visit him. I don’t want to go there because people may also shoot and they will accuse us of being responsible.

    “They have done it in the past. They accused Alao-Akala of being responsible for poisoning a noodle.”

  • I’ve enough reasons but I won’t depose Olubadan, says Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said he will not depose or sanction the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Oba Saliu Adetunji, despite having enough reasons to do so.

    The governor, who said his office is higher than other titles in the state, pledged not to allow the situation cause any acrimony between him and the monarch.

    Ajimobi spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, at a meeting with the traditional council in the 11 local governments in the city.

    The governor urged the council not to be discouraged but extend a hand of fellowship to the Olubadan.

    Traditional rulers at the meeting include the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun; Balogun of Ibadan Oba Olakeleyin Owolabi; Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Eddy Oyewole; and Ashipa Balogun of Ibadan Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe.

    Others are: Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, and the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Amidu Ajibade.

    The governor said the palace might have been hijacked by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and his supporters, who he accused of planning to return the state to its gory days.

    He said Monday’s shooting at the palace during an installation ceremony was stage-managed by those he called drowning politicians.

    Ajimobi said: “Like I said, all the relevant sections of the 1959 chieftaincy declarations are clear on the powers of the governor, vis-a-vis the traditional rulers as well as the administrations, particularly sections 26 and 27, which empower the governor to sanction any erring oba.

    “But as I have said before: you must use power with caution, particularly when it comes to traditional institutions. I am a respecter of that institution. I sincerely believe that considering the relationship that I have with the kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadan – as a son, as a brother to my late father, as the Aare of Ibadan, the title he (Olubadan) honoured me with – I will never do anything to denigrate that position of obaship or go to the extent of sanctioning him by removal or suspending or doing something similar. After all, he is an old man and he is my father.

    “We will continue to talk to him. The only unfortunate thing there is that some failed politicians, particularly Ladoja and his likes, have taken over the palace and they are doing things that Baba himself is not aware or approve of.

    “So, we understand the dynamics. The press secretary to Baba Olubadan used to be the press secretary to Ladoja and he is still there. Some of the assistants and aides of Baba are known members of Ladoja’s party.

    “The Baba on the throne is my father; I will not do anything that will disgrace him and denigrate his stool. I am happy the obas know the enormity of the powers of a governor. The law has it that if the governor sees that what a monarch is doing can cause chaos, the governor has the power to depose such a king.

    “And if anyone is going around the town, waving and parading himself in the streets and in the market at a time as this, that means he wants to scatter the town and cause chaos. If the governor invites a monarch to a meeting and the monarch fails to turn up and such a king is saying he was told to sleep or rest somewhere, he could be removed. At least, it is the government that is paying him.

    “Who bestowed the crown and staff of office on the monarch? Is it not the government? But you see, when a person is in a position as such, he shouldn’t wield his powers every time, particularly against someone he claims to be his father and someone who is old; more so, when you know that some people are really behind it. We know it is Ladoja.

    “I have found enough reasons to depose him, but I will never do it. If he likes, let him go to the radio or television to abuse me. I don’t care and I will never use that against him. He is enjoying the fact that he is my father; he is enjoying the fact that he is the Olubadan.

    “But the Olubadan is not the governor. In Oyo State, the governor is still the head and leader. My gentility is not cowardice. I am just being careful.  I am giving you the assurance that I will not remove him. Sooner or later, he will understand better.

    “So, with all intents and purpose, the Olubadan palace has been taken over by Ladoja and his followers. What he could not achieve through the ballot box, through democracy, through elections, he wants to achieve through the palace. He will fail as he has failed in all attempts. What he is doing is the desperation of a drowning man looking for ways to cause civil unrest. But we will not allow him.

    “He is not above the law. He is a former governor; that is it. I am the current governor. I will be former governor after the end of my term.

    “We must allow government to run. It is not his duty to try to cause civil unrest in the society. We will not allow him.

    “What happened at an oba’s palace reminded us of what had been done before. They went to the late Baba (Lamidi) Adedibu’s house over the bridge and shot at Baba Adedibu, his benefactor, the person who put him there. Later on, they came to Adebayo Alao-Akala’s Office to shoot him. It is the same style. At another time, they went to Akure, Ondo State capital, and started shooting. They killed Alao-Akala’s assistant. We know.

    “All that happened on Monday also, we know he is behind it. He may say we should prove it, but we know he is behind it. How do you go to a place and four people came, policemen were at the palace and so many security men too but nobody apprehended them and nothing happened? Then, the people inside the palace still sat inside and later they came. We are not fools. We know that was stage-managed. We have information and we thank God that Ibadan people are behind us. The whole of Ibadan is behind us, except a few politicians.”

    The monarchs urged the governor not to use his powers to react to the situation.

    Oba Lekan Balogun said: “If anyone likes it or not, we are making history by how we live this life. What was done in recent times and, like what you have always done, is great. Honestly, you have been an architect, like they have always portrayed you on billboards around the town. The things you do, I know it is God that is giving you the wisdom. It is a great history-making event; it is indeed a great history-making event because it is something that has been done in places like Ekiti, Ondo and even Lagos and other Yoruba cities.

    “In one essential respect, we did not cut Ibadan into pieces, as it is done in other places. The Olubadan still remains the owner of Ibadan.

    “Even with what we have done, we still remain where we were. I still remain the Otun Olubadan, just like others in the council. But those who don’t understand think there are many kings in a town. As we pray and do the needful to get Ibadan state, if eventually it is granted, are we going to have only one king? If God grants that we have Ibadan State, are we going to have one king?

    “The only two things that we did with the recent reform is the nomenclature of obaship that was added to our title. We have not changed from our ranks as Otun, Balogun, Ashipa and the rest in the Olubadan-in-Council.

    “The second is fashion. If I don’t use my normal abetiaja cap, I will use my crown. Please, how has that hurt the interest of the kabiyesi, the Imperial Majesty? In the whole of this city, he is still the only Imperial Majesty.

    “But only two people oppose what the governor did. Those who don’t understand are really many and they are those who have it on mind to destroy the city. They are the ones who always want to be known and seen as the only ones who know it. Aside from them, no one else knows how to do. Only two groups oppose what the governor has done.”

  • Olubadan palace shooting: Ajimobi summons security chiefs, monarchs

    Olubadan palace shooting: Ajimobi summons security chiefs, monarchs

    • We’ll arrest perpetrators, says police chief
    • PDP chieftain seeks action to unravel culprits

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of the State Security Council at his office.

    The meeting is coming on the heels of the shooting at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

    The governor also summoned a separate meeting of traditional councils of the 11 local government areas in Ibadan, headed by members of the Obas-in-Council, formerly called Olubadan-in-Council.

    They are expected to meet with the governor at his office today.

    The governor’s decision was conveyed yesterday through a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Olalekan Alli.

    Expected at the meeting are: the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division in Ibadan, commissioner of Police, director of the Department of State Services (DSS),  state commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and heads of other security agencies.

    The statement added: “Government notes the unacceptable development and warns that the pre-2011 era of brigandage and violence perpetrated by undesirable elements shall not be tolerated.

    “Government assures all and sundry that such perpetrators, who may be exploiting the opportunity of the developments on the Ibadan chieftaincy issue to repeat the mayhem experienced prior to the tenure of this administration, and who seem to be warming up for their traits, shall be fished out and made to face the law.

    “Government assures the public of its commitment to the security of life and property in the state and shall take imperative, desirable and decisive steps to checkmate the untoward development.”

    The statement urged residents to go about their lawful engagements without any fear.

    Oyo State Police Commissioner Abiodun Odude has said the command would fish out those behind the attack on the palace of the Olubadan.

    The police chief said the command was close to arresting the hoodlums, based on information available to the command.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the commissioner warned trouble makers to stay away from the state or face the wrath of the law.

    He said: “While investigation into the incident is being carried out, we want to use this medium to sternly warn hoodlums and other unscrupulous elements that the police will not fold their arms and allow criminal activities soar in any part of the state.

    “Similarly, we will deal decisively with individuals or groups, whose activities are inimical to peace and harmony currently being enjoyed in the state.”

    Also, a PDP governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has expressed shock at Monday’s attack at the Olubadan palace by gunmen.

    He described the incident as an aberration.

    In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, Makinde said he was shocked and embarrassed that Ibadan was under attack.

    The politician said in his over 40 years as an indigene and resident of Ibadan, he never heard of an attack at the Olubadan’s palace.

    He noted that in Yoruba land, palaces are sacred places and it is anathema to attack them.

    Makinde recalled that even during the Yoruba civil war in the 19th century, Ibadan was known as a power centre and defender of the race’s territorial integrity.

    The aspirant queried why and how the city degenerated into a messy enclave.

    He berated the government for allowing security lapses, adding that it should bring the perpetrators to justice.

     

  • I’ll succeed Ajimobi in 2019, says Shittu

    The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has said he will succeed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2019.

    Addressing reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, after a meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Egbeda Local Government Area and Ajorosun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Shittu, who is a governorship aspirant, said he would take over from Ajimobi to improve on the governor’s record.

    The minister said he is the most experienced of the aspirants, having held several public offices and learnt politics from the Premier of the defunct Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    He said: “I was a member of the State House of Assembly in 1979 and two-time commissioner in the state. I have also contested the governorship seat in the state twice before I became a minister.

    “These are experiences you cannot buy. Oyo is too advanced and sophisticated to be handled by inexperienced administrators.”

    Shittu dismissed the re-alignment in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party was a non-starter at state and federal levels.

    The minister noted that 38 road contractors had abandoned work two years before President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

    He said the development contributed to unemployment, as workers, including labourers, bricklayers and iron benders, were sacked.

    According to him, the PDP administration’s negligence and incompetence in handling the Boko Haram insurgency at inception led to the escalation of the problem to the current security challenges facing the country.

  • Ajimobi, the constituted kingmaker

    Governor Abiola Isiaka Ajimobi of Oyo State carries on with aplomb, always dressed in resplendent native attire of complete ‘agbada’. That projects him as someone who respects culture and tradition. Events in recent times, however, show that the dressing is a façade. The man behind the mask of culturally-correct dressing has come to bury culture and tradition, at a go.  Enter the self-authorised coronet who installed 21 beaded crown monarchs in Ibadan on Sunday, August 27, thereby playing the judge, jury and the executioner on chieftaincy matters. It took his ‘Imperial Excellency’’, Isiaka Ajimobi – The First, just four days to gazette his decision on the Olubadan chieftaincy review, hand out letters of appointment and effect the coronation, thus establishing an Ajimobi patent on One-stop, quick fix Obaship bazaar !

    Well, I must give it to Ajimobi; he does not shy away from a fight. He doesn’t have a hunky frame, being on the shortish side, but what Allah denied him in height is more than compensated with a stocky body, which gives him a combined bulldog and wrestler physique. The advantage here, given his black, shinny and glossy body, is that such build enhances his physical slipperiness, making it difficult to wrestle him down in a pin fall, an attribute he has displayed in his political battles.  However, in the cultural terrain, it remains to be seen if his luck holds out.

    It was the famed American glamour boy of diplomacy, Dr. Henry Kissinger, (aka Dr. K) U.S. Secretary of State during the Richard Nixon presidency in the 1970s who described power as intoxicating aphrodisiac. I am not saying Ajimobi is drunk on power, but it would seem to me that he simply likes to project power and serves notice to all constituencies as to who is in charge in Oyo State, including the traditional institution. Remember those unruly students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) who staged a protest to him in Ibadan not too long ago on the lingering closure of their institution?  He told them off.  In a fit of anger, he decreed that the students must show respect and warned that they must remember he is the Constituted Authority in Oyo State! How could he have expected the aggrieved students to be on bended knees in obeisance? Apparently, he felt appealing to the students, who were justifiably angry, was below the dignity of a Constituted Authority, a manifestation of arrogance of power and poor public communication skill.

    Now, Governor Ajimobi has crossed the line to take on the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji with his unilateral appointment and installation of kings in Olubadan’s domain, displaying an affront to cultural norms where the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council are the prescribed authorities in the elevation of baales to beaded crown monarchs. The ungainly rush to create a fait accompli with the coronation is indicative of a disdain for culture. But strong-willed Ajimobi will not be dissuaded from his chosen reform path, even if it means according himself the power to ‘manufacture’ kings, especially with regard to the High Chiefs.  The flurry of events which culminated in the crowning of 21 kings in Ibadan land – eight High Chiefs and 13 baales  – on Sunday, August 28 took an accelerated pace between June and July, with the Ajimobi machine launching a media war against the Olubadan with stories  planted in the media to fool the public that the Olubadan supported the Ibadan chieftaincy review. The old man had to repeatedly cry out that he was opposed to the review exercise.

    In the beginning, the Olubadan-in-Council, including the High Chiefs,  opposed the review only for the members to do a volte-face, apparently given the sweetener  of the High Chiefs’ elevation to kingship position. High Chief (Oba) Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan, who is next in line to become Olubadan, had in a media report of July 6 explained: “Initially, we in Olubadan-in-Council thought the governor had an ulterior motive. But we later understood that he meant well. He didn’t force anybody to accept the review”. The following day, the Olubadan was reported to have reacted to Balogun’s statement: “What right does Otun have to speak for the Olubadan-in-Council when the chairman of the council has not directed him to do so?”  Oba Adetunji reaffirmed that he could “never support the review of the system that works” with reference to orderly ascension to the Olubadan throne as against the long interregnum to fill Obaship vacancies in many towns in Yorubaland due to litigations.

    In defending the review, Governor Ajimobi reiterated that the High Chiefs would still maintain the hierarchical ladder to Olubadan throne, thereby creating a cultural hybrid of one person being an Oba and a High Chief at the same time! Talk of Ajimobi Show – a form of Awada kerikeri.  A snipet of the show was the report that the Oluwo of Ibadanland  led all the new traditional rulers to an inner chamber (inner chamber in Mapo Hall!)  where all the traditional rites were performed. Such traditional rites are usually observed for weeks or months in seclusion but Ajimobi-made kings spent minutes! It is an assault on culture and tradition. It is also intriguing that Ajimobi and his High Chief Obas did not feel embarrassed by this cultural aberration.

    It would seem that Ajimobi’s Obaship offer apparently  appealed to the vanity of the High Chiefs. Where a case can be made for elevation of baales to third class monarchs, such must originate from the Olubadan. What is rather perturbing in the whole episode is the silence or connivance at this desecration of culture exhibited by Ibadan stakeholder groups, until a group of Mogajis rallied to Olubadan’s support in a protest on September 12. During the coronation, Governor Ajimobi had admonished the Olubadan on his ( Oba Adetunji) recent utterances which the governor said tended towards the political, cautioning that “Obas are not expected to play politics”. That is an inanity, because Obaship position is political, irrespective of the machinations of  usurper politicians to diminish the authority of traditional rulers. One would like to remind Ajimobi that he is holding a transient power as against the enduring power of the Olubadan. In less than two years, Ajimobi will revert to an ordinary subject of Olubadan.

     

    • Dr. Olawunmi, is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Bowen University, Iwo.
  • Akande: I’II build on Ajimobi’s achievement

    Akande: I’II build on Ajimobi’s achievement

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State Prof. Adeolu Akande spoke with BISI OLADELE in Ibadan, the state capital, on his ambition and the need for a government of continuity in the Pacesetter State.

    What is your mission in politics?

    My coming into partisan politics, and seeking the office of the governor of Oyo State is borne out of my experience. As an academic, I studied political science and I have been exposed intellectually to how government is organized around the world so that the government could satisfy the yearnings of the majority of the people. Secondly, I have worked at the federal and state levels, as Special Assistant in the Presidency and Chief of Staff to the governor of Oyo State, where I had practical experience of the potentials we have as a country and as a state. When I combine my intellectual experience with my practical experience, I have no doubt that these things have great potential that we could explore to make life much more meaningful. I am in politics because I believe I have been equipped with theoretical intellectual background and I have the practical experience to know all the challenges and the potentials that we have in Oyo State and I believe I will make a difference, if I have the opportunity of serving as governor.

    Do you think you can survive now that you really want to go into it as a major player?

    As a journalist I have had first-hand experience about the dirty side of politics, I reported politics all of my life as a journalist. So, I have firsthand experience of the downside of politics in Nigeria. And as an academic, I have done extensive research on politics and government in Nigeria, and I also have the experience and as somebody who had been in the government I have been directly involved in the formulation of policies and practical politics. So, I am aware that there are so many challenges in partisan politics in Nigeria. But my conviction is if everybody who feels he is clean runs away from politics, then you leave it for the so-called dirty people, and the consequences of bad leadership will affect you regardless of your comfort zone.  If everybody keeps saying politics is dirty, you don’t want to go in there, then you leave politics for people who are not equipped to make life better for the people. We grew up knowing the likes of Wole Soyinka, Tai Solarin, Dele Giwa. I have come to the conclusion that it is not sufficient to stand by the ring side and criticize, we need to step into the arena and make a difference if you could, and the only way you can make a difference is be part of politics, be part of those who determine who governs, if possible, offer yourself, work with people of like minds to form a government that can bring about the Nigeria or Oyo State of our vision or of our dream.

    What difference do you intend to bring to the table now that you want to become a major player?

    There are so many challenges we have in the society. If you look at Oyo State today, I am not sure there is any household you go that you don’t see young men who have been out of the university for three to four years and are unemployed. I believe that youth unemployment is the number one problem that we have to solve in Oyo State. The incumbent government has done well to address the problem of security. When this government came in 2011, security was a major problem. No one was sure that if they leave their home and before you get to anywhere in Ibadan they will get there in one piece. The incumbent government has successfully resolved that. The government has also done well in the area of infrastructure. Now we need to shift to how do we provide jobs for our teeming youths. We have the national statistics that about 40 per cent of our graduates are unemployed and it can’t be different in Oyo State, if it is not worse. So, we need to address that. What is the way out of this problem? That is an area I am passionate about. We need to look at our education system and bring in vocational training and skills acquisition so that we will equip our youths. Before they leave secondary school they have a vocation with which to earn a living. We need to increase the budgetary allocation to education. Today, the allocation to education is not enough to prepare our youths  for the challenges of the future. So, we need to address that. We need to ensure that our schools are well equipped with laboratories, they are well equipped with libraries, they are well equipped with computer work stations. The educationist says that the illiterates of the future are not those who cannot read and write but those who cannot use the computer. Yet, computer is not commonplace in our schools. So, we need to focus on all of these so that our youths, by the time they leave secondary schools, can earn a living, so that when they go to universities, regardless of the course they study they will be able to employ themselves and employ two or three other people. It is through education that you can provide manpower for small and medium scale enterprises. If you look at the economies that are doing well all over the world, 65 per cent of employment is provided by small and medium scale enterprises and the only way that can come about is through the development of manpower in the education system and in the informal sector. We have people who are bricklayers, who are tile layers, who are mechanics, who do not have appropriate training. Many of our mechanics trained with old technology, and now they cannot handle the new cars that are coming up. When people in Oyo State are building their houses they go to Ghana and Republic of Benin to bring in brick layers because they say the brick layers here are not good. As a society we have the duty to retrain them. You cannot simply say they are not good and then when you bring in people from Ghana or from Togo, from Republic of Benin to do these jobs, you are exporting the jobs that are meant for our youths. So if there is a social problem, that our brick layers are not good, rather than all of us going to Ghana or Republic of Benin, it is the duty of the government to design a retraining programme so that all these people can now develop the manpower, so that people can earn decent living. I want to make difference in all that. I also want to look at our health sector, I am bothered because we have a huge population but our hospitals are far behind in the use of technology. The infrastructure is not good enough, and we do not have enough manpower.

    Even Oyo State is grappling with scarcity of funds. What magic are you bringing to the system?

    The first thing you need to do is to expand the economy of Oyo State. You know we are operating with an annual budget of about N50 billion. If you look at the finance of Oyo in the last one year, what we got from federal allocation is between N2.5 billion and N3 billion  per month. If you add that up in a year, that gives you about N30 billion  or N36 billion at most. If you add Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at 1.5 billion per month, you will get about N48 billion. We are operating a budget of about N50 billion for a population of about 8-9 million. It is really inadequate. We need to expand the local economy so that we create more opportunities. We need to expand the taxable revenue because the primary source of government revenue is tax. But in good conscience, there is little you can tax if the economy itself is not expanding and that’s why we keep saying the government has to provide a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive. The comparative advantage of Oyo State is in agriculture. There is vast arable land that we need to explore as a comparative advantage. Within agriculture our priorities, our advantages are cassava cultivation because we are the largest producer of cassava. In poultry, because we are the largest producer of poultry and in fishing with Ikere Dam which we are not yet exploiting. If we take cassava, Nigeria produces 54 million tons of cassava every year. Not up to 1 per cent of it is exported. What that means is that we are importing more indeed. If we look at cassava product, if you take ethanol alone, Nigeria imports 98 per cent of its ethanol consumption and that is at a value of N800 billion. So if you produce tonnes of cassava in Nigeria and Nigeria still imports cassava products in excess of N1 trillion every year then the logic of it is that multiply what you are producing, can you multiply it? Can you triple it? Can you produce it ten times fold because the market locally is huge and then the market internationally is yet unexplored. So if you do that, focusing on agriculture, we are going to quickly expand the economy of Oyo State. How do we expand agriculture? One, encourage large scale commercial farming. Two, bring young men into agriculture. The average age of farmers in Oyo State today is between 55 and 61. Yet you have a youthful population. It is difficult for old men to feed young men. It is easier for young men to feed old men.

  • Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees, says Ajimobi

    Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees, says Ajimobi

    The Oyo State government has promised to review tuition fees at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, in a bid to make it self-sustaining.

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, announced this yesterday in Ibadan, while featuring on a programme tagged “Saturday Special’ aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), LAUTECH which is co-owned by both Oyo and Osun state governments, had in recent times been enmeshed in crisis over the default of the owners to pay subvention and staff salaries.

    Ajimobi said his administration had since assumption of office in 2011, paid N22 billion to the institution.

    He described the amount being paid as tuition fees in LAUTECH as `abysmal,’ adding that it would be reviewed for the institution to be self-sustaining.

    “The default in the payment of subvention and salaries was as a result of economic downturn. When we came on board, we reduced the tuition fees to N65, 000.

    “There are secondary schools that charges from N150,000 to N200,000, while some universities charge from N500,000 to two million naira.

    “Till date, we have subsidised LAUTECH heavily and we are still giving them. Imagine, the institution has 99 accounts and some could not be traced,” he said.

    The governor said that government had taken steps to resolve the crisis in the university, among which was the auditing of its account to determine its viability to be self-sustaining like other institutions.

    He said that staff of the institution had initially refused the auditing firm access but had promised to allow them recently.

    Ajimobi said that government had constituted the institution’s governing council which was expected to submit its report after the current holiday.

    He promised that the crisis in the university would soon be over and the institution would be given take-off grant for three months.

    Commenting on Oyo State Technical University, Ajimobi said that the institution, which would take-off in October, was a specialized institution, adding it was not a university for all.

    He said that his administration had evolved several initiatives to reform education in the state, particularly public schools.

    He added that the efforts had started to yield the desired fruits.

     

  • Ibadan obas: People ‘ll praise me later, says Ajimobi

    Ibadan obas: People ‘ll praise me later, says Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday expressed confidence that those criticising him for reviewing the Olubadan Chieftaincy laws will later sing his praise in the future.

    The review of the law resulted in the coronation of additional 21 kings at an elaborate event at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The governor urged the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, not to allow politicians use him.

    Ajimobi said he knew the monarch as a respectable father of all in Ibadan, adding that the opposition of the royal father to the recent review and reform of Olubadan chieftaincy system could not have been masterminded by Olubadan himself but by some politicians with vested interest in his administration.

    The governor spoke at the inauguration of the rehabilitated Mobil Junction-Are-Oluyole-Wema Bank, Apata Road in Ibadan.

    The event was also attended by the newly crowned obas.

    Ajimobi recalled that the former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was also abused by the people when he introduced free education in the region, before the residents and others later started praising him and describing the policy as “wonderful”.

    The governor said the recent comments on the Olubadan review were largey laden with political colourations rather than considerations for uplifting the city’s traditional system.

    According to him, he was never out to hinder anyone from achieving any ambition, but “constituted authority must be respected by all and sundry”.

    The appearance of the new kings with their crowns and staff of office at the event was to the admiration of a large crowd that attended the event, as it added colours to the event.

    The monarchs at the event included Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan; Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Balogun of Ibadan; Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Osi Balogun; Oba Eddy Oyewole, Asipa Olubadan; Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun; Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan; Oba Amidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan and Oba (Dr.) Kolawole Adegbola, Ekarun Balogun.

    Ajimobi said: “Those who abuse us for crowning obas now will praise us in future. Some have politicised the matter. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was then abused for introducing free education but he was praised afterwards. I did not do the crowning of obas for myself.

    “Why do I want to hinder others from becoming what they want to be? Whoever God has destined will become whatever he or she wants to be. Moreover, I am not in the race to become an oba.

    “Many administrations, since Governor McGregor, have attempted changes to the Olubadan chieftaincy. It was known as baale in the 1930s before it was known as Olubadan. I am not into any battle with Olubadan, but he should dissociate himself from those with political interests.

    “The Olubadan is a good father; I can’t disrespect the Olubadan. But I know there are those using the Olubadan’s name to promote their interests, especially those we have defeated politically. Anyone who believes in God is not interested in hindering the progress of anyone. Moreover, this honour is befitting for our kings and this event today looks more glamorous. I am glad.

    “I thank God that he used my administration to carry out Olubadan of Ibadan chieftaincy reform. But nobody can threaten me because I also hail from Ibadan. The Olubadan is a good father. But at times, when politicians have penetrated into the traditional institution in Ibadan, they can influence him.

    “The politicians acting behind the scene, we have beaten them many times during elections. Almighty God has sent me to do what I am doing. So, whoever opposes us will be beaten. Olubadan is not the one doing what he has been doing to oppose the reform, but the politicians who have been acting underground.”

  • Akintola: I ‘II build on Ajimobi’s achievements

    Akintola: I ‘II build on Ajimobi’s achievements

    In the Third Republic, he was the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. In 1999, he was a stalwart of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN)  is now a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. He spoke with reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, on his mission in politics and why he wants to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi: Excerpts: 

    What will you do if the APC does not give you its governorship ticket?

    In the first place, I am not going to lose. I am going to get the ticket by the special grace of God. But I am a progressive and the question of looking for alternative platform does not arise.

    I was the arrowhead of what is now known as  the APC. I was one of those that were present at 1998 Confab at Premier Hotel in Ibadan by Yoruba leaders, where we formulated the policy of participating under Abdulsalam Abubakar’s government. We mandated Chief Bola Ige to liaise with other leaders across the country.

    Chief Bola Ige, in his wisdom, picked me, Prof Tunde Adeniran, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, Dr. Tola Atimo, and Uncle Yemi Farounbi, as part and parcel of his team.

    We wrote the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). When that did not work, we left PDP for All Peoples Party (APP). When we got there in Abuja, we saw some characters there, and Uncle Bola Ige said ‘well, we can’t stay here!’

    We pulled out and we came back to the drawing board. The registration then was closing. We had to quickly put something together to form the Alliance for Democracy (AD). That is why if you look at the AD Constitution and PDP Constitution, they are one and the same. The only difference there is just in the nomenclature. Who put all those constitutions together? It was the AD that metamorphosed into Action Congress (AC), then to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and to APC.

    I happened to be the arrowhead of the take over of the Southwest by the progressives. We started in Ibarapa Local Government by the then AC before I moved to Oshogbo,  and I moved on to Benin, where we got Oshiomhole installed, I was the lead counsel there. I also moved to Ekiti, where we got Dr Fayemi installed. God also used me to bring Ladoja back to office.

    So, there is no question of me leaving the progressive camp, it cannot just be. Wherever the progressives tilt their boat, you will find me. For me to jump boat, no I can’t because I am a professional in politics. I have a second address.

     What percentage of women will be in your administration, if you eventually emerge as governor?

    The 35 per cent affirmative actions, I have had causes to address it, even at the party level, and I have addressed  it very well. I am what the Yoruba people will call ‘Abigael’. Ninety per cent of my kids are women, and I am married to a woman. My wife is an high court judge.

    I am duty bound to apply the provision of the law as it was. Nigeria is a signatory to that international convention, of which we have domesticated it. Having domesticated it, we are duty bound. The problem with us in this country is that most people are just too lazy to hold those who are governing us to account. Every Nigerian citizen should be able to hold Nigeria leaders accountable to that position of the law. Nigeria is a signatory to the international convention, people should ask the government, ‘why are you doing this?’ I want to challenge you, hold me accountable when I become governor of Oyo State, to see whether I will implement that or not. I am an executive member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). I am a good member of the International Bar Association, (IBA). They will ask me questions over there about it.

    In October this year, we will be in Sidney, Australia and these are the types of questions they throw at us. Some six years ago, I was in Chicago for IBA, and after the presentation of my paper, one Australian, after receiving standing ovation, said ‘this is a very beautiful paper from a third world country from that country where Abacha ruled!’

    He was trying to impugn on our integrity as a nation. But I quickly rose to the occasion and reminded him that ‘I am a proud Nigerian; that same country that produced Sani Abacha also produced Prof Wole Soyinka,’ and that shut his mouth. So, he held me accountable in that particular aspect.

    Who is your godfather?

    Every politics is local. There is a wall of difference between what ought to be and what is. Contrary to the impression out there, we are in a democracy where the majority will have its way and the minority will have its say.

    The reality of our situation on ground is that, this state is

    different from virtually all other states in the country. This is Oyo State, where traditions still rule very strongly.

    In this state, the roles of the gatekeepers cannot be wished away. The gatekeepers are there and there are layers of it. Apart from that, we also have the stakeholders and anybody who wants to govern this state cannot wish away the roles of the gatekeepers. No matter how good a person is, you will also need a good platform to contest. So, my governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is a gatekeeper. Our traditional institutions are gatekeepers. For instance, my own immediate environment— I went to my ward in my local government, all the traditional rulers and community leaders were there. That shows the role of the gatekeepers. You cannot underplay the influence of eminent traditional rulers like the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Soun of Ogbomoso, Ibadan Council of Elders, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII). Even, when we came on board in 2011, it was not the ACN alone that brought us to power. It was the combination of all these forces; and that s the reality. You cannot underplay the influence of these factors. This is a traditional society, not like any other state. The traditional rulers still wield a lot of influence.

    Every society has its own different patterns of governance. In some states, there could be an individual. For instance, when Baba Adedibu was alive, he was a gatekeeper and that was the reality. It has no negative effect on democratic principles as it were and that is the truth. No one has ever become the governor of the state without the support of these gatekeepers and our political leaders appreciate it that much. These gatekeepers live among the people, know their feelings and all what is happening to them.

    What is your position on rotation or zoning?

    There is no rotation in any part of the country. It is not part of our law. Oyo State is one. The Oyo speaking  people know that they are one, and only one under one God.

    In Ibadan today, we may have 32 kings. The governor has succeeded in reviewing the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration. Is the review okay or is there anything wrong with it?

    It was something that ought to have been done long time ago. Pardon me, if I will give a very biased answer  because I have been involved from the word go.

    In 1999, former governor,  the late Alhaji Lam Adesina set up Oloko Commission of Inquiry. I was a counsel before that commission.

    Recommendations were made by the commission, but there was no political will to implement the recommendations. Then, came former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who put up Adio Commission of Inquiry.

    Virtually, every governor has tried his hand on that.

    In the olden days, we used to say a Mogaji (head of family) in Ibadanland was more than a king in other climes. There was a Mogaji in Ibadan that had under him Iwo, Ede, Osogbo, and Ikirun; that was why the titular heads of those towns would abandon their positions to come and contest to become Mogaji in Ibadan because they were practically under the control of the Mogajis.

    But times are changing. What was obtainable then is no longer tenable now. Look at how big Moniya is, it is bigger than some state capitals in this country. Look at Omi-Adio, it is a cosmopolitan big town. By 2006 population census, it had  186,000 people. Yet, you expect the Olomi of Omi to be under a Mogaji in Ibadan town. That was what those governors have been trying to correct. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the political will to do so.

    Now, if you look at what is happening around us, Olubadan of Ibadanland, when he is going out, there are no Obas to follow him., yet he is the paramount ruler of the entire Ibadan. From Moniya to High Court at Ring Road is 47 kilometres. By the time you pass through Ring Road to Ago Taylor  and through Aleshinloye and you come out at Ojoo, you would have covered 92 kilometres in the same town; and you have not even reached Apata.

    That is why the Land Use Act Implementation Law could not be applied fully in Oyo State because of the distance. The implementation law says 15 kilometres radius, but within Ibadan, you have 92 kilometres. So, every other area is now rural under the Land Use Act. People don’t appreciate the position of the law on this. All these are interwoven. We thank God that we now have a governor, who has the political will to put this thing into practice. Give it to the present governor, he is highly cerebral and very courageous; every other governor had tried the review before, but they stopped mid-way, though they set up judicial commission of inquiries over the issues. There have been agitation for this for long, even under Chief Bola Ige, there was. He fell short of setting up judicial commission of inquiries.  At every point in time, except the present one, I had appeared as a counsel in all the past three judicial commission of inquiries. It is something that is commendable. I think majority of the people in Ibadan welcomed it.

    Don’t forget, there is economic aspect of it that people have not been addressing. When new local governments were created in 1989, the only council in Ibadan – Ibadan Municipal Government, was split into five councils. There were agitations on what to do with the property of the old Ibadan Municipal Government.

    We thought of a way of getting out of the quagmire, and I was called upon to offer legal advice. What I did was to incorporate the Ibadan Joint Property Limited, now at Ring Road to manage all the property of the entire local governments in the interest of the communities. I think the governor has done the right thing in that circumstance.

    What gives you the assurance that you will win the election, if you emerge as candidate of your party?

    My personality cuts across the party line. Though  party is a factor and it is going to remain a factor in the forthcoming general elections in 2019. However, it will depend on personality picked to contest.

    Buhari became the president, not only on the platform of APC, but because the people in PDP supported his candidature. Personality is going to play a major role in 2019.

    Over the years, I have worked for this state, I have worked for the party, worked for individuals and Nigeria as a whole and people know this. So, many of them are owing me and this is a pay back time.

    Beyond that, when you look at the make up of this state, you will agree with me that we are one from Ibadan to Oke Ogun and from Oyo to Ogbomoso. If I get the ticket, I am on my way to government house.

    I am in the race and I know God will decide because He is the ultimate power giver. With the support of the people, if they find me suitable to lead them, so be it. I am not desperate. It’s not a do- or- die thing. I am not a professional politician but a professional in politics. Some are so desperate, but I have not closed  my eyes to my  profession.

  • Olubadan to Ajimobi: I’m not a politician

    Olubadan to Ajimobi: I’m not a politician

    THE Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, yesterday urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi not to paint him bad before the public.

    The monarch said his decision to oppose the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy system was not political.

    In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the palace, Mr Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan said: “As a monarch, I’m a father of all, irrespective of sex, ethnic and ideological persuasions.

    “Since Friday, March 4, 2016, when I ascended the exalted throne of Olubadan, I have opened the gate of our palace wide to all manner of people. If you belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour, Accord and/or more, you are most welcome. So, politics has nothing to do with my resistance or opposition to the chieftaincy review spearheaded by the Oyo State government.”

    Oba Adetunji described as unfortunate the comment by the governor that recent utterances from the palace tended to be political.

    The monarch said if the governor had any demonstrable evidence of such, he should provide it.

    According to him, there is no statement issued by the Olubadan Media Office which did not enjoy his blessing before it was made public.

    He said: “While I am aware that people react to age differently, I am not old enough to be misinterpreted by anybody, even at 89. Governor Ajimobi stated that he invited us to the Governor’s Office over this matter and visited me in the palace later.

    “While this is true, I wish to respectfully state that the Boade Panel was inaugurated on May 19, 2017, His Excellency, Governor Ajimobi, invited me to the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, after the panel had sat for four weeks. At that meeting, His Excellency, the Oyo State governor, the High Chiefs and State House correspondents would recall my opposition to the chieftaincy review. My question is: ‘Did anybody put words in my mouth in that recorded tape?’

    “When he invited me to his office and visited me in the palace on Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Boade Panel was almost through with its job. When we met at the inner chamber, what the governor came to tell me was that he knew I should have been consulted first. So, it is not true that I was consulted, as claimed by him.

    “If I had been consulted, this error would have been avoided. The desecration of the crown would have been averted.”

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, who congratulated all Ibadan people on keeping the peace, assured that these times would pass.